Trooper injured responding to deadly crash on Bonnet Carre Spillway

ST. CHARLES PARISH - One person is dead following a crash on the Bonnet Carre Spillway early Sunday morning. A trooper responding to the crash was also injured in a separate accident.

State Police say Louis R. Hernandez, from Meridian, MS, stopped his car on the right shoulder so he could urinate, leaving a passenger, David E. Vasquez-Dueno inside the car. According to troopers, a truck swerved to miss Hernandez who was walking near the right lane of the interstate and smashed into the back of the car.

Vazquez-Dueno, 21, wasn't wearing this seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck, Joel Ybarra, 42, suffered "critical" injuries and was transported to the hospital. He has been charged with Vehicular Homicide and Careless Operation. Troopers say Hernandez could face charges as well, but the crash is still under investigation.

A second crash occurred as a trooper was arriving on the scene of the original wreck. State Police say he was slowing down to pull over to the shoulder when a truck driven by James F. Osborne IV, 34, slammed into the back of the trooper's unit. The unidentified trooper suffered minor injuries and was transported to the hospital.

State Police say Osborne, who's from Baton Rouge, was intoxicated beyond the legal limit. He was arrested on DWI, Reckless Operation and Vehicular Negligent Injuring charges.